The Valentine’s handkerchiefs exist across the country, with higher incidence in Minho (North of Portugal).
They were the most pure and poetic art form used by young girls of Minho.
They were the most pure and poetic art form used by young girls of Minho.
It seams that the origin of the valentine’s handkerchiefs also known as “marriage proposal’s handkerchiefs” was on the tissues of the centuries XVII and XVIII used by the nobles, which were adopted and adapted by women of the people in order to impress and win a future husband.
A girl, when was near the of age to marry, embroidered an handkerchief in cross-stitch in a cloth of fine linen or cotton.
A girl, when was near the of age to marry, embroidered an handkerchief in cross-stitch in a cloth of fine linen or cotton.
It was embroidered with the symbols and images that poured from her imagination.
In this work it was valued by human feelings as loyalty, dedication, love ...
They were weeks or months of work in the development of a handkerchief that could confirm or not the beginning of a romance.
After embroidered, the tissue would get to the hands of the "boyfriend" and his public attitude to use or not decided if it was the beginning of dating.
Our handkerchiefs are beautiful and hand-painted by our little artisans. They are not embroidered. We offer to our partners to express our love, friendship and also as memory of our engagement in the SETS Comenius project.
Bernardete Couto, 3rd Year
